Comparison

Case Files Microbiology, 3e vs PolyHub

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Case Files Microbiology, 3e

Master medical microbiology through interactive patient cases and USMLE-style questions. This app helps students learn essential concepts by applying them to real-life scenarios, preparing them for exams and clinical practice.

Highlights
  • 54 high-yield patient cases
  • USMLE-style review questions
  • Interactive study modes (Study, Exam, Bookmark)
  • Clear concept discussions
  • Progress tracking
  • Note-taking and tagging
Features
Read full description

LEARN MICROBIOLOGY IN THE CONTEXT OF REAL-LIFE PATIENTS AND PREPARE FOR THE USMLE STEP 1 - Experience with clinical cases is key to excelling on the USMLE Step 1 and shelf exams, and ultimately to providing patients with competent clinical care. Case Files: Microbiology provides 54 true-to-life cases that illustrate essential concepts in this field. Each case includes an easy-to understand discussion correlated to essential basic science concepts, definitions of key terms, microbiology pearls, and USMLE-style review questions. With Case Files, you'll learn instead of memorize. -Learn from 54 high-yield cases, each with board-style questions and key-point pearls -Master complex concepts through clear and concise discussions -Practice with review questions to reinforce learning -Polish your approach to clinical problem-solving -Perfect for medical and dental students preparing for course exams and the Boards This free application includes 1 sample case study from the 54 that are available with a subscription. Each case has been designed for the iPad and iPhone with interactive features: • Study/Exam/Bookmark modes with USMLE-style review questions. • In the Study mode, check the answers as you tackle the questions. • In the Exam mode, time yourself and review the answers after the time is up. • In the Bookmark mode, review only the questions you have flagged for further study. • File away correctly answered questions after each practice quiz. • Choose the number of questions in each practice quiz: 25, 50, 100, 150, 200, or all. • Opt to include questions from previous quizzes. • Learn further from interactive questions at the end of each case, with explanations. • Sort cases by name or by case number. • Take down notes using the Notes section for each case. • Study in horizontal or vertical mode on the iPhone and the iPad. • Store quiz scores to track your progress. • Highlight key points in cases. • Save to iCloud to use app on multiple devices • Choose preferred font sizes • Create tags • Search content About the Authors Eugene C. Toy, MD is a dual certified family physician and ob/gyn and is Academic Chief and Program Director for the Obstetrics and Gynecology residency at The Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas. He also oversees the ob/gyn clerkship at Christus St. Joseph Hospital and is actively involved in teaching medical students. Cynthia R. Skinner DeBord, PhD is a member of the Adjunct Faculty in Biology at Tomball College in Tomball, Texas. She was formerly the microbiology course director at UT–Houston School of Medicine. Audrey Wanger, PhD is Associate Professor at the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at The University of Texas–Houston Medical School in Houston, Texas. Gilbert A. Castro, PhD is Vice President for Health Affairs and Vice President for Academic Affairs at The University of Texas at El Paso in El Paso, Texas. Donald Briscoe, MD is the Program Director of Family Practice Residency at The Methodist Hospital–Houston in Houston, Texas. James D. Kettering, PhD is Emeritus Professor of Microbiology at Loma Linda University Schools of Medicine and Dentistry in Loma Linda, California. Expanded Apps Terms of Use: https://expandedapps.com/terms-of-use/ Expanded Apps Privacy Policy: https://expandedapps.com/privacy-policy/

About

PolyHub

Features
Read full description

Connect with SH2 device via Bluetooth and display relevant real-time data

Screenshots

Case Files Microbiology, 3e4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: PolyHub at none against Case Files Microbiology, 3e's 5. PolyHub also leads on update cadence (every 8 months vs every 20 months) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). Case Files Microbiology, 3e's advantage is device support (3 vs 1). On price and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Case Files Microbiology, 3e sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per 7 days. PolyHub asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Case Files Microbiology, 3e ships an update every 20 months, PolyHub every 8 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 5 level
Case Files Microbiology, 3e versus PolyHub: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCase Files Microbiology, 3ePolyHub
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 20 monthsEvery 8 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad
Requires iOS15.011.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB21 MB
Age rating12+17+
DeveloperExpanded AppsBMC Medical Co.Ltd.

In-app purchases

5 purchases

Case Files Microbiology, 3e

Subscriptions4
  • 1 Week$8.997 Days
  • Weekly Access$10.997 Days
  • Monthly Access$19.991 Month
Show 1 more
  • 1 Year$79.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Access$39.99
None

PolyHub

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Case Files Microbiology, 3e free?
Case Files Microbiology, 3e is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PolyHub free?
PolyHub is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Case Files Microbiology, 3e or PolyHub have ads?
Neither Case Files Microbiology, 3e nor PolyHub shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Case Files Microbiology, 3e or PolyHub?
Case Files Microbiology, 3e ships an update every 20 months, and PolyHub every 8 months. Most recently, Case Files Microbiology, 3e was updated on October 24, 2026 and PolyHub on October 14, 2026.

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